Pakistan has announced its national hockey squad for the upcoming Pro Hockey League and World Cup qualifying rounds. The 20-member team, along with six officials, will depart for Australia on February 2 under the leadership of captain Muhammad Imad Butt.
The squad was announced in Islamabad by Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Rana Mujahid and head coach Tahir Zaman. Officials confirmed that the team touring Australia will also represent Pakistan in the World Cup qualifiers.
Two changes have been made to the previously announced squad, with goalkeeper Abdullah Ishtiaq and Manan Raza being replaced by Ali Raza and Umair Sattar.
The national hockey team includes Muneeb-ur-Rehman, Ali Raza, Arshad Liaquat, Muhammad Abdullah, Sufyan Khan, Arbaaz Ahmed, Hammad Anjum, Moeed Shakeel, Ghazanfar Ali, Zakaria Liaquat, Umair Sattar, Hanan Shahid, Rana Waheed, Nadeem Ahmed, Abdul Rehman, Rana Waleed, Afraz, and Abu Bakar.
Rana Mujahid said that the issue of players’ daily allowances has been raised with the government and that all outstanding dues will be cleared by Friday. Head coach Tahir Zaman said that after a long time, Pakistan has the opportunity to play against top international teams. Team captain Muhammad Imad Butt said that the players’ morale is high and expressed hope that the Prime Minister will continue to support the national sport.
According to the schedule, in the second round of the Pro Hockey League, Pakistan will play against Australia on February 10 and 13, and against Germany on February 11 and 14.
It is worth mentioning here that the qualifying rounds for the 2026 Hockey World Cup will be staged across Egypt, India and Chile and Pakistan’s national hockey team will compete in the men’s qualifying tournament in Egypt, scheduled to take place in Ismailia from March 1 to 7.
According to the International Hockey Federation (FIH), Chile will host both the men’s and women’s qualifiers, India will stage only the women’s events, while Egypt will host the men’s qualifiers.
Pakistan’s national hockey team will compete in the men’s qualifying tournament in Egypt alongside Pakistan teams from Egypt, England, Malaysia, Japan, Austria, China and the United States will participate in the event.
Pakistan have been placed in Group B, where they will face China, Malaysia and Austria. The Green Shirts will open their campaign against China on March 1, take on Malaysia on March 2, and conclude the group stage against Austria on March 4.
Read more: Pakistan gear up for crucial Hockey World Cup qualifiers in Egypt
